Hello! Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter. I am honored to serve the 36th Senate District and look forward to working with you toward a better future for Michigan!

This e-newsletter serves to keep you updated on what is happening in Lansing and what I am doing as your state senator. I hope that you will find this e-newsletter helpful, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Or if you are in Lansing, please feel free to stop by my office at 920 Farnum Building.

Jim Stamas
State Senator
36th District of Michigan

Here to Serve You

As your state senator, I am here to serve you. I am available to meet with local coffee groups and small group meetings, and it would be a privilege to speak at service organization within your community. If your organization has coffee hour sessions, I would love to stop in.

I also care about how businesses are doing in the 36th District. If you have a small business, I would be honored to get a tour to see first-hand how your business is doing and learn how I may help your business as your state senator. Again, I am here to serve you.

If you are in the Lansing area and want to meet with me, or if you have a student in school who is touring the Capitol and want to schedule a visit with me, please contact me by calling 1-855-347-8036. I would be more than happy to meet with you!

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Movement on bills to improve civil asset forfeiture process

The Senate Judiciary Committee has favorably reported a package of bills that would improve the civil asset forfeiture process.

The package, composed of House Bills 4499-4508, would increase transparency and raise the standard for seizure so that evidence must be "clear and convincing" before action is taken. These amendments give law enforcement agencies a better definition of their legal abilities while protecting citizens' rights.

The legislation would promote closer monitoring of the forfeiture process and establish other clarifications for the benefit of all Michigan citizens, including law enforcement.

Senate OKs property tax notice flexibility bill

The Michigan Senate on Wednesday approved my bill, Senate Bill 349, to revise the timeframe in which county treasurers may send delinquent property tax notices.

I am in my district very often, and try to stop by local offices throughout the district to get a sense of what is happening in the community and learn about issues at the local level. This matter was raised by a county treasurer during a visit. Under current state law, even if a county treasurer has completed their work prior to June 1, they must wait to send notices to the property owners about unpaid property taxes. Giving county treasurers' flexibility on when they can send out these notices is a common sense solution that will make the process more efficient.

Under state law, the county treasurer is required to send a certified abandoned property notice to a property owner on June 1 or Sept. 1, whichever date immediately succeeds the date that unpaid taxes are returned to the treasurer as delinquent.

Senate Bill 349 would allow the county treasurer to send the notices "on or within 60 days before" the June 1 and Sept. 1 notification dates.

Senate Bill 349 is supported by the Michigan Association of County Treasurers and the Michigan Department of Treasury. The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

New laws taking effect this summer will help keep dangerous criminals off the street.

Public Acts 457-459 of 2014 allow DNA samples to be collected at the time of arrest for all felonies. The new laws provide law enforcement with an important tool to conduct more accurate investigations more quickly to help identify suspects. If a person is not charged or convicted, any record of the individual's DNA sample will be destroyed.

Previous Senate legislation that expanded DNA collection has already been successful at solving past crime cases sooner. The new laws will further aid that effort and help prevent violent repeat offenders from committing more crimes.

Currently, 28 states and the federal government require DNA samples for all or certain felony arrests.

Search for unclaimed property

Did you know the state of Michigan holds millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets from dormant bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes, inactive stocks and other property?

You can find more information and check to see if your name is on a list of unclaimed property at www.michigan.gov/treasury. Remember, you do not have to pay a fee to get your money back by contacting the Department of Treasury directly.

Three times a year, volunteer crews perform a valuable community service by picking up litter and debris from the highway roadsides in their designated area. Adopt-A-Highway volunteers collect about 70,000 bags of litter annually, an estimated $5 million value to the state.

Sections of highway are still available for adoption. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Participants must be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Check the MDOT website at www.michigan.gov/adoptahighway for more information.

Be prepared with the Michigan emergency plan mobile app

Many Michigan communities have experienced hazardous weather or other emergencies over the past year alone, including tornadoes, winter storms, flooding and power outages.

September is National Preparedness Month and a good reminder to make sure your family knows what to do in case of an emergency. The 2015 theme is Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

A free app for iPhones and Android phones-Michigan Prepares-can help your family plan for emergencies in a few quick steps. Along with helping you pull together the right information to create an emergency plan, the app covers basic supply checklists, Michigan-specific hazard fact sheets and links to other resources.

New law restores local control over school fundraisers

As Michigan students head back to the classroom, schools will once again have the option to host traditional fundraisers, such as bake sales, that sell sweet treats not on the federally approved "Smart Snack" list.In the past, school clubs, athletic teams and other organizations were unable to raise money at school by selling food such as brownies or cupcakes under federal rules that went into effect last year.

Fortunately, the Michigan Senate passed a law that gives back control to local schools by giving them the option of holding two bake sales or fundraisers per week. I am proud to have cosponsored Public Act 349. School bake sales and fundraisers should not be controlled by government. They are best left in the hands of school board members, parents and administrators.

Fall travel guide now available

The only antidote to the end of a Pure Michigan summer is the start of a Pure Michigan fall!

From scenic drives and trails to culinary tours, the Pure Michigan Official Fall Travel Guide covers it all, including a special section on Deer Camp. Access the digital version and sign up for weekly fall color updates at www.michigan.org. Or contact my office to receive a print copy.

New website for senior services

Senior citizens and their families can quickly access information on services in their area at www.michigan.gov/aging, a new and easy-to-use one-stop website.

The site is designed to connect Michigan seniors with state and local programs to help them maintain their independence as they age. The website lists information and links to resources on a wide range of services, including help at home, basic needs, safety and security, health care and more.

STAYING BUSY IN THE 36TH DISTRICT

It was an honor to take part in Midland Fire Department's 9-11 service on Friday, September 11th. We will never forget.

Have you had the chance to travel along Heritage Route US 23 from Standish to Mackinaw City?

Did you know that there are 44 historical landmarks and museums? Everything from train depots to the Mackinac Bridge, you can explore a fur-trading fort, the Coast Guard Icebreaker and the Katherine V. Fishing Tug. You can also dig in the Besser Museum's ancient fossil bed or dive in NOAA's fresh underwater marine sanctuary for shipwrecks-the largest of its kind in the world!

Did we mention the 12 spectacular lighthouses that outline the entire shoreline?